This exam tips covers Exam Tips within Index Laws for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Index Laws in Number for GCSE Mathematics with 14 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 13 of 14 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Exam Tips
- Learn the laws: Memorize all 5 rules
- Check bases: Must be same to use laws
- Show working: Write the law you're using
- Simplify fully: Don't leave as 2³, calculate if needed
- Zero and negative: Remember special rules
Practice questions for Index Laws
Which of these is equivalent to a³ × a⁵?
Simplify a⁵ × a³
Quick recall flashcards
Division Law
aᵐ ÷ aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ
SUBTRACT the powers
Example: 5⁶ ÷ 5² = 5⁴
Zero Power Law
a⁰ = 1
ANY number to power 0 equals 1
(except 0⁰ which is undefined)
Examples: 5⁰ = 1, 100⁰ = 1